31 December 2007

"Quixtar's blend of Christianity, conservatism and consumerism could be helpful to Huckabee, a Baptist minister, as he seeks the backing of evangelicals in his bid to win the Iowa Republican caucuses Thursday night.

Quixtar was created in 1999 by the DeVos and Van Andel families, the founders of Amway, who have donated more than $3 million almost exclusively to federal candidates and causes dating back years. The DeVos family also funded a push for school choice in Beasley's home state of South Carolina.

DeVos family members also have been involved in funding and serving in the Council for National Policy, a private organization made up largely of wealthy conservatives. In February, Huckabee won the backing of a majority of the group over rival Mitt Romney, according to a report in U.S. News & World Report.

Doug DeVos, president of Quixtar and Amway's holding company, also is co-chairman of Gospel Communications Network, which describes itself as using the Internet to spread the Gospel. A columnist for its Gospelcom.net last week raised questions about aspects of Romney's Mormon faith."